Resurrecting Predictions of a Renaissance in This Presidency

[bigtree]

(originally) posted Fri Nov-20-09 by bigtree


I may be eternally cynical of our government, but I still expect a Renaissance in this presidency.

This isn't a jaded and weak old man we've elected, and he's no fool. I'm also not buying the arguments of some that he or his presidency is institutionally and intractably corrupted by industry or the establishment (not yet). So I have a good feeling about the future of this man, Barack Obama, in realizing the power of his office to effect lasting and meaningful good.

I've always understood that this President isn't an operating progressive. He's a pragmatic politician who's made a few proposals and actions contrary to our liberal creed; none of which should cause any Democrat to abandon their comity and start running around with their hair on fire. On balance, this President has held the line on our Democratic agenda; as much as Congress has accommodated his defense of those principles.

He's not going to be satisfied with just fighting and posturing, though; which is basically the heart of much of the earnest criticism from the left; as if the (often necessary) bluster and snark were all it took to manage the balance of power and motivation in the national legislature.

Despite the fact that all of the problems he inherited haven't been brought to some favorable conclusion, or that some seem to be getting worse (some by his own hand), he has made much meaningful progress and has had some historic accomplishments for his young presidency. I like the prospects for our party's agenda in this precarious majority that we've crafted together with our votes, and I'm optimistic about the prospects for the realization of our own (as expressed here at DU) as well.

Something significant is indeed happening here; a bit of a clusterfuck, but, it's definitely happening. Democrats are accustomed to operating against an entrenched opposition party, but it looks like our Democratic Senate leadership is ready to flex their partisan power in a way that no party has had the audacity to in decades.

I'm convinced that the cynicism and frustration often expressed here by war-weary progressives - ready to tear the whole thing down and start afresh - is ultimately going to be the wind underneath this presidency as Barack Obama exercises and demonstrates the historical efficacy of incremental change and dramatically moves our Democratic agenda steadily forward.

I don't see 'capitulations', as some critics have expressed in their opposition. I do see many compromises that have made sense, given the political limitations and the consequence of doing absolutely nothing (as republicans are determined to do in office). I have seen this President act independently when he's convinced there's no legislative remedy available. I've seen him stand firm and win the day. I think we'll see more of that backbone and sense of our Democratic majority..

I think that there were unrealistic expectations and demands that folks are now looking to hold the President accountable for. The only surprising thing to me about his conduct in the past term is how little he's strayed from what he told us he'd do. I do acknowledge that most of us here are fully invested in our views to the point where it feels like betrayal when these politicians do something contrary. Most of our disagreements have been on strategy and degree, rather than substance. Yet, I think we need to continue to accept this presidency for what we always assumed it was: a centrist presidency which has pledged to 'reach across the aisle'. We were never going to realize the entirety of our progressive agenda behind his leadership. I think most folks have accepted that. Stepping away from this presidency right now over these issues just seems a waste.

Our party has always been a coalition of liberal and moderately conservative views. We didn't elect a progressive president (or nominee), we didn't elect a progressive majority in our legislature, and yet, some are still hell-bent on making this pragmatic presidency the bane of that failure. Fair enough, I suppose, to hold him accountable, but he's just one element of any political strategy for advancing our initiatives or concerns into action or law. We shouldn't behave as if there's nothing left that republicans will be compelled to vote for. We shouldn't be whipped back and forth in our steadfastness by this White House by political posturing.

The President is fighting for most of the issues and concerns we care about, even though some may well disagree on his strategy for achieving the same. We want jobs, but we don't agree on how to spur employment. We need revenue, but we're fixated on tax cuts because of the faltering economy and the fragility of the incomes of millions of Americans that would be affected by the expiration of the breaks they have right now. We want to win elections, but we're not certain how to deal with the conservative states and districts. Those are just a few of the needles politicians have to thread.

The President's committed himself to finding a workable balance. He's no more naive about that prospect than anyone else, but he has adhered to that bipartisan rhetoric as part of his strategy. That's certainly a flaw for some, but it's not indefensible; and it's certainly not so far outside of Democratic politics to be characterized as 'capitulation' or betrayal. The President has made what he believes are reasonable compromises where he feels doing nothing isn't the responsible option. That's not always in line with our own expectations, but I don't think he's moved so far from a Democratic agenda to deserve the type of ire we used to reserve for the republican opposition -- the type of tone many critics took before we rallied behind Pres. Obama to defeat republicans in the last election.

There's a little thing called political momentum . . . and our Democratic party has it today!

Can't have watched the President and our Democrats at the Health bill signing and not feel the winds of change; both societal and political. It was gladdening to see our Democratic party on the right side of history (again).

Can't look at this new republican Congress' inability to pass their own bills; and their repeatedly giving up ground on their 'Hastert Rule' obstinacy; and not sense a burgeoning revival of our liberal majority.

Barack Obama is the first fellow to reach the presidency in my lifetime who is so thoroughly connected to the people - from his beginnings as a community organizer to local office and to the Senate. His life experiences and interests give him a unique perspective from the elite, connected pols of (my) past who made their way to the top. He's even more grounded in all of that than Bill Clinton was as a well-connected governor.

I do wonder about his conservative appointments . . . I conclude, however, that his choices reflect the great deal of confidence he has in the strength and character of his own idealism, yet regard enough for the rest of America to check those ideals of his against these establishment catalysts.

I too would like to see him make more progressive acts (as in military and finance matters) which are in line with those aspirations he so eloquently expressed and sold to those who voted for him. But I don't, for a minute, believe that the political balance of this narrow majority in the present legislature he's expected to parry his initiatives and ideas with has been (collectively) any more inclined to effect those bold changes than he's managed in the level and scope of his public support for them. If Congress actually enacted the bulk of his initiatives and proposals, we'd be looking at a national renaissance to match his very determined and pragmatic progressiveness.

I predict a transformation (in the not too distant future) of his presidency from the deference he's given to those in the establishment he's, so far, considered responsible enough serve his interests; to a desire to exercise his own impatience and earnest desire for change. He certainly has enough allies and friends out there who provided the support which enabled him to advance to the WH who represent the best of our citizenry. I fully expect him to advantage his presidency of those when he's finally lost faith in the establishment figures and their recalcitrance to provide the lift he desires for his stepping-stone administration.

I may be eternally cynical of our government, but I still expect a Renaissance in this presidency. I can only hope Mr. Obama's sense of time and place infects our Democratic legislators as well.

[Scurrilous]

1. K & R